CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Chicago

by: Various Artists

Release Date January 14, 2003
The soundtrack arrived within about a week. (I never opt for faster delivery.) It was exactly what I wanted and, as far as I can tell, plays flawlessly.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Mary Poppins (2005 Original London Cast)

from: Walt Disney Records

Release Date September 13, 2005
If you did not see that musical yet...do it as soon as possible...we saw it 5 months ago and we are still singing.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

The Sidewinder

by: Lee Morgan

Release Date November 16, 1999
This is another one of those recordings that I picked up on a whim only because it was recommended by The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings: Eighth Edition (Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings). One listen and I was hooked like a dolphin in a tuna net. If your foot doesn't start tapping the minute the laser touches the etching, you're deaf or dead. And Morgan keeps it up through the entire recording, really embodying a jazz style that got lost in all the "cool" "avant-garde" "smoothe" music that followed close on this trend-setting album's heels. Multiple listenings do not wear thin, and even if I've been listening to Miles Davis for a week or I'm not sure what I'm in the mood for, Sidewinder always satisfies. This CD belongs in any serious jazz fan's library, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Cornbread

by: Lee Morgan

Release Date October 25, 1990
Blue Note recorded a number of hard bop musicians in the 50's and 60's, such as Art Blakey and Horace Silver. Many of these recordings introduce young trumpeters, including Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan. In fact, Morgan had been a side man of Blakey's before moving to be a leader on his own.

This is one of Morgan's better efforts. There are several things noteworthy about this album.
1- Morgan is outstanding. His tone is clear and strong. While he doesn't play "pretty" like Art Farmer, he is capable of lyric playing. He has been influenced by Clifford Brown, although his tone isn't quite as warm as Brownie's.
2- This group played great together. The always welcome warm-toned tenor of Hank Mobley is a plus, and Herbie Hancock hadn't yet ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

The Who's Tommy: Original Cast Recording (1992 Broadway Revival)

from: RCA Victor Broadway

Release Date July 13, 1993
I have been the proud owner of this dual CD since 1994, when my first car had only a tape deck and I had to use one of those goofy converters with my diskman to listen to CDs. I think I wore the poor thing out. I also own the original rock opera written and performed by The Who, but it doesn't get the playtime that the Cast Album does. Why not? Because the women in this recording are phenomenal! I love speeding down the road screaming/singing "Acid Queen".

I will have to be honest though... as a play, Tommy is a bit lacking. You have to admit that the plot is a bit strange and often the character's actions leave the viewer scratching their head. I watched the touring cast in the late 90's and still have my piece of the mirror that fell from the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Sony

Release Date October 19, 2004
Of course there should have been much more. I remember there been a Metropolian Opera series called CAST ALBUMS- 100 YEARS that was put out for a limited time only and had like five volumes.
As Peter Filichia noted they left out SHE LOVES ME, BRIGADOON and SWEENEY TODD. Also nothing from PACIFIC OVERTURES, BIG RIVER, CHESS, CRAZY FOR YOU, JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL, FOOTLOOSE- THE MUSICAL, THE FULL MONTY, URINTOWN...
But they couldn't have put it all. I would have done without Lee Remick's
"Anyone Can Whistle", because the show was a flop. I guess because it was Sondheim's first "serious" show...

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Search for the New Land

by: Lee Morgan

Release Date September 02, 2003
I say this is his best because it is much less formulaic than his other funky attempts at hits. Also, look at the line-up. And finally, Grant Green is pushing Lee to travel uncharted waters. The title number is a knock out, and the rest of the album keeps up.
Morgan, Green, and Shorter are a great line-up and nobody gives up without a aggessive fight. This is Green and Morgan at their most progressive, skipping the boogaloo

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

King Kong: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

from: Decca

Release Date December 13, 2005
While I expected a certain amount of powerful action music--in keeping with the fact that King Kong is an action film--I felt this cd soundtrack focused excessively on action music, and that the touching and beautiful selections in the film's more tender scenes were woefully ignored. They are there, but in what feels to be abbreviated forms, as though the powers behind the cd decided to add them as a brief afterthought. If you found the more sensitive music in the film is what drove you to consider the cd (as I did) then you'll find this cd too abrasive for too long to just enjoy easy listening. The quality of the musical compositions is not lacking--it's good action music--but this is not a cd comfortable to listen to for long periods. If you are producing a back yard play, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Last Session

by: Lee Morgan

Release Date March 31, 1998
For those who have a bunch of Lee's sessions already Lee's solos here may sound a bit redundant. He's not geting enough new ideas from the tunes themselves. With Harper soloing fist much of the time and none of tunes credited to Lee, this session could be mistaken for one of his. If electric piano and the further adventures of Billy Harper are not to your liking, stick to hard bop with Jackie McLean's CONSEQUENCE and Hank Mobley's DIPPIN' both with Lee as a sideman.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Leeway

by: Lee Morgan

Release Date August 27, 2002
this is a good disc,but it's definately not one of his best.there are 4 tracks on here,and it's got more of a blues feel to it.lee morgan's playing is brilliant as alays,as evident on nakatini suite.overall a good cd.